Syria's transitional parliament meets in Damascus after Assad's overthrow

Syria's newly appointed transitional parliament has held its inaugural session in Damascus, marking a significant step in the country's political transition more than 18 months after Bashar al-Assad was toppled. Members of the chamber took the constitutional oath on Sunday as the People's Assembly convened for the first time under the new authorities. President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the rebel offensive that removed Assad and is now Syria's president, urged lawmakers to put national interest first.

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Al-Sharaa said the assembly should focus on improving the economy, strengthening public services and attracting international investment. He also called on lawmakers to help foster dialogue, the rule of law and respect for institutions. The parliament has 210 seats, with two-thirds of members chosen last year by regional electoral colleges and the remaining 70 appointed by al-Sharaa at the start of the month.

Officials said nationwide elections were not feasible because of the logistical difficulties left by years of conflict, including inaccurate population records. The session comes after more than a decade of war and political isolation that left Syria in a severe economic state. The country's 14-year civil war killed more than half a million people and ended with the collapse of the Assad family's long rule.

Since Assad's overthrow, Syria has also faced political and sectarian tensions, adding to the challenge of building new institutions and restoring basic services. The parliament's immediate task is to draft a new constitution and lay the foundations for a new political order. The opening of the chamber is being watched closely because it will shape how Syria's post-Assad transition develops.

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The new legislature is expected to play a central role in defining the legal framework for governance after decades of authoritarian rule. Its work also carries economic significance, as the leadership is seeking to stabilise the country and encourage outside investment after years of conflict and isolation. For many Syrians, the ability of the new institutions to deliver practical improvements will be as important as the constitutional process itself.

The transition follows a period in which the country's political landscape was transformed by Assad's removal and the rise of al-Sharaa, who has pledged a new era for Syria. The parliament's first session is therefore both symbolic and practical, signalling an attempt to move from wartime rule to a more formal political structure. It also reflects the continuing influence of regional electoral colleges and presidential appointments in shaping the new assembly.

International observers are likely to focus on whether the body can operate with enough credibility and independence to support a broader transition. What remains unclear is how quickly the parliament will be able to produce a draft constitution and whether it can help ease Syria's economic and political strains. It is also not yet clear how the new institutions will address the tensions that have persisted since Assad's fall.

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